Volunteer News
Volunteer Delia Sava featured on WUSA9s ‘Hero Central’ for her volunteer service with Doorways!
HomeStart Volunteer Delia Sava was recognized on WUSA9s ‘Hero Central’ this month for her service as in an interpreter for HomeStart families.
Watch the video to hear about her experience with Doorways!
Thank you Delia for being Doorways’ Hero!
Volunteer Teresa Wood spotlighted in Arlington Connection for her work helping HomeStart families start over!
Pictured: Teresa Wood
When a neck injury restricted the work she had been doing in her home repair and remodeling business, My Handy Ma’am, Teresa Rene Wood found herself with time on her hands. "Because of my neck, I was feeling very depressed and down. If I couldn’t work and had to take time off to mend, I wanted to volunteer." In April of 2008, Wood…read more here!
Volunteer Bonnie Flynn wins award for her service at Doorways!
Pictured: Brenda Turner, Susan Hennessey, Bonnie Flynn, and Kelly Blanchard
Doorways volunteer Bonnie Flynn has been awarded the “People helping People” Community Service Award by the Arlington, VA Federal Credit Union. On July 22, 2009 Bonnie received a plaque and check for $250.00 for her outstanding service to Doorways for Women and Families.
Bonnie has single handedly taken over the care and maintenance of both shelter properties ensuring the yards are mowed, flower beds are planted, weeded, and mulched; and appropriate plant replacement and removal happens on a yearly basis. Bonnie has organized group efforts to assist her during the yearly mulching as well as recruited another volunteer to assist her with mowing at both locations. Bonnie has also organized the donation of plants, trees, tools, and even a lawn mower!
Thank you Bonnie for embodying the mission of Doorways of not just providing shelter, but offering families a home from which to heal and grow towards a safe and independent life.
Winter 2010 Volunteer Training
Thank you and congratulations to our most recent graduates of our volunteer and intern training program! These volunteers have dedicated 20-32 hours of their time to training so that they can provide
services to families living at the Family Home and Safehouse!
Lauren Heath, Eileen Miller, Kristen Schmaeling, Grace Schroer, Sylvia Taggart, Sara Taylor, Tayler Wilhelm, Katherine McElroy and Katie Karch. (Also pictured, Simone Schonenberger, Doorways Volunteer and Intern Coordinator)
Deloitte IMPACT Day
Friday, June 5th, despite all the rain, 22 volunteers from Deloitte arrived at Doorways to spend the day! Volunteers at the Safehouse power washed the foundation, weeded the garden, and trimmed the bushes and hedges. Volunteers at the Family Home cleaned 30 windows, inside and out, cleaned and disinfected the playroom and toys, the kitchen and pantry, and the laundry room. Volunteers power washed the front porch and back porch including all the decking, railings, and ceiling. They power washed the a/c housing, outside jungle gym, and the foundation. The volunteers also cleaned, organized, and counted the Storage Room!
Thank you so much for all your amazing work! Your effort and dedication to the safety and cleanliness of our homes ensures that we continue to stand and provide the life saving services Doorways offers.
Volunteers of the Month 2009-2010
March Volunteer of the Month: Stacey Meyer, Storage Room Volunteer
Although Stacey Meyer has not been volunteering with Doorways for long, her impact on the storage room has been huge. After the holiday rush, Stacey almost singlehandedly overhauled the storage room and ensured that all of the incoming donations were organized and accessible. She worked for hours at a time several days a week and even came in during the blizzard of 2010. Stacey did a wonderful job with every task assigned to her, no matter how big or small. Thank you, Stacey, for
a job well done!
February Volunteers of the Month: Blanche Anderson, Peg Butner, and Ellie Flaherty, Safehouse Grocery Shoppers
For over three years a trio of volunteers has taken on the task of grocery shopping for the Doorways Safehouse. Every month, Blanche Anderson, Peg Butner and Ellie Flaherty schedule and conduct all of the grocery shopping for the 11-bed shelter. With virtually no oversight, they ensure the weekly dietary needs of the families are met and that the cupboards are never bare. Thank you Blanche, Peg and Ellie for your devotion to Doorways and the women and families we serve. Your service is truly appreciated.
January Volunteer of the Month: Hope O'Keefe, Family Home Volunteer
For the past two years, Hope has been a reliable and consistent Doorways volunteer. Despite her own busy schedule, Hope finds time to commit to a regular monthly shift at our Family Home and also provides emergency coverage. During the recent December snowstorm, Hope went above and beyond the call off duty. After a six hour shift at the Family Home, she proceeded to shovel the Home’s walkway to ensure that residents and staff could get to and from the Home safely. Thank you, Hope, for your unwavering commitment to Doorways!
December Volunteer of the Month: Claire Vojick, Storage Volunteer
Claire has provided over 50 hours of volunteer service in the Doorways Storage Room during the past three months. Claire’s service keeps the Storage Room clean, organized, and running efficiently and able to meet our client’s needs on a daily basis. Thank you Claire, for valuing this vital piece of Doorways support.
November Volunteer of the Month: Meg Murphy, Family Home Volunteer
Meg has been volunteering at the Family Home once a month for the past year providing quality assistance to the staff and clients of Doorways. Despite her busy graduate school schedule, she has always found the time and energy to make Doorways a priority in her life and we are so proud to include her as a member of our team. Thank you Meg, for all your hard work and dedication to Doorways!
August Volunteers of the Month: Delia Sava and Ingrid Morales, HomeStart Interpreters
HomeStart serves the largest number of families at Doorways, many of whom speak a language other than English. Delia and Ingrid share their amazing language talents to ensure Doorways HomeStart clients
are able to share their own stories in the language of their choice. Delia and Ingrid attend client meetings and provided one-on-one interpretation services allowing staff to engage with clients and continue
the high quality of care all receive at Doorways.
Thank you Delia and Ingrid for your invaluable support of Doorways clients!
June Volunteer of the Month: Elise Lee, Children’s Volunteer
Elise began volunteering with Doorways in 2005 and has been a steady and committed presence ever since. As an IBM employee, Elise coordinates the recruitment of her colleagues to assist Doorways during
our monthly dinner program for clients and their children. Every month, Elise and her crew show up ready to play and the children enjoy their time immensely!
Thank you Elise, for your dedication to the children of Doorways!
Dinner with Friends
Thank you to all of the wonderful volunteer groups who have provided the meals for our monthly Dinner with Friends program. These dinners allow all of Doorways families to share their experiences, re-connect with past friends and enjoy each other’s company with a delicious meal and educational program. THANK YOU to the following groups who have assisted this year:
Northern VA Junior Women’s Club July Dinner
- October: National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA)
- November: Debbie Hill and Friend
- December: Junior League, Zonta Club, Ernst & Young
- January: Debbie Brasher and Friends
- March: Junior League
Interested in completing Doorways Training Program and becoming a volunteer? Click here for more information on volunteering!